many Questions

[Cammie123]

If you have a Chiari don't you by definition have some CSF obstruction? CSF cannot flow in a person with a Chiari M. the same way it flows in a person without a Chiari. M. If the tonsils are not where they belong they naturally have to form an obstruction. So, how much of an obstruction do you need to cause damage? If only one tonsil is herniated, wouldn't that possibly cause a total blockage where it is located, yet the other normal tonsil allow fluid to pass? Can you have a Syrinx will little blockage? Do all blockages cause Syrinx? Can you have severe diminished flow without forming a srynx?

Sorry for all the questions. I am new at this. Also, a sad note: I didn't know how to spell Syrinx and hoped that spell check would would give me the correct spelling! Yikes spell check doesn't even know what a Chiari M.is!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Well from what I understand, it is possible to have chiari and no CSF obstruction...it is the width and shape of the tonsil that can cause the obstruction as well as overcrowding ...and not everyone with low lying tonsils has this....and not all with chiari has this and yes there is a diff  if even a small one, it can create a very large diff medically.

Imagine if u will...an inverted pear...it is short and stubby...if in the top of a funnel it will block fluid...but now look at the same funnel with shoestring licorice hanging down the opening.,....it will still allow the flow to continue......the shoestring may be larger/longer....but not wide enuff to cause an issue...where the pear is very short it may not even b classified as chiari I.....it works like a plug.., this person may have more debilitating symptoms as a result....but not considered to have chiari.

As Ray mentioned it is  diff to get the experts to agree, and some have come up with a newer term to help explain this ...chiari 0....but since the experts do their own research it is not widely accepted or taught.

Hope this helps : )

We r happy to have u join us, but we r not happy with the reasons that bring u.

"selma"

[rod44]

Experts are struggling with these very same questions lol.

Some ppl with CM get a Syrinx (Syringomyelia) some do not, experts agree that a syrinx develops due to CSF obstruction but don't well understand the WHY part.....